Housing/ Homelessness Chasity Jones Faith Action Network

Faith Action Network Building a More Humane and Sustainable budget Increasing Support for Human Services and Reducing Wealth Inequity Dismantling a Culture of Violence Protecting Housing & Preventing Homelessness Sustaining Washington’s Environment

Washington Low Income Housing Alliance Engage policy makers Our greatest opportunity to impact housing and homelessness policy is at the state level

These are the bills that we are going to talk about today HB 1633 –Source of Income Discrimination SB 5408 – Increase in Eviction Notices HB 1570- Document Recording Fee HB 1987 – Concerning religious organizations and affordable housing developments

Source of Income Discrimination RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. This injustice disproportionately impacts people of color, veterans, seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities – increasing their risk of homelessness. ‘Source of income’ includes income derived from: Social security Retirement programs Federal/state/local nonprofit – Subsidy programs (housing assistance, public assistance)

Prohibit source of income discrimination Background: The Residential Landlord- Tenant Act (RLTA) provides rights and duties of landlords and tenants. RLTA gives landlords permission to determine whether a person would make a suitable tenant based on: Credit Employment Criminal history Eviction history Rental history

HB 1633 would prohibit landlords from discriminating against applicants based on the sources of legal income of an otherwise eligible applicant. Questions?

Increase time required for eviction notices – SB 5408 Background: According to the RLTA (?), 20 days written notice must be given in advance in order to terminate a period of tenancy. This bill would increase that the 20 day requirement would be increased to 30 days. For tenants that have occupied premise for over 2 years, 60 days is required.

Testimony in support of SB 5408 Stated that Tenants need more than 20 days notice to find replacement housing with limited options available. Extending the notice to 30 days is consistent with rent schedules and more consistent with Oregon policy. The city of Vancouver has adopted a 60 day notice to vacate property.

Testimony Opposing SB 5408 The tenant will most likely not pay rent to save up for a new rental and this will lead to additional revenue loss for landlords. The losses will mean landlords will need to charge more in the beginning or during tenancy. Questions

Document Recording Fee Home security fund/ Housing Trust Fund- an appropriated account that is used for homeless housing programs only. 40% of the $40.00 document recording fee goes into the Home Security Fund. A percentage of the fund goes to private rental housing payments. (1633- would protect these recipients from SOID discrimination).

Renew Sunset and Increase Document Recording Fee – HB1570 PERMANENT Increase the local housing and assistance surcharge from 40$- 90$. Updates reporting requirements Who is paying the document recording fee?

Affordable Housing Development on Religious Organization Property HB 1987 Background: Cities and Counties HB 1987 prevents governing bodies of cities and counties from restricting the density of affordable housing development on property owned by a religious organization under certain conditions. What is density in this context?

Ronald United Methodist Church, Shoreline – Ronald Commons Ronald Commons is a new affordable housing development in Shoreline The project includes a renovation of the Ronald United Methodist Church (RUMC) building and a new construction, mixed-use building that will include 60 units of affordable housing.(Partnerships!) Service Center will include a food bank, family services, and financial education and assistance for low-income households. The Ronald Commons Grand Opening on Friday, February 17th.

Increase funding for Housing Trust Fund to (200M) Can anyone tell me one way to increase this fund?

UNDO Institutionalized Oppression as a foundation “Equity should be baked into everything that we do, not sprinkled on top.” Institutionalized oppression Support and advocate for all bills that UNDO institutionalized oppression

Leg.wa.gov > bill information to track bills. www.wliha.org www.fanwa.org Jones@fanwa.org

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Dealine to apply for Us-2 is March 9th!